No criticism of the young man from me, he's just 18, he's on loan, and one of our senior players should have been telling to drop back on the fifth tackle after he let the first bomb bounce.

I'm probably in a better position to comment (although obviously not on todays game) on the Russell v Tomkins debate, having watched them both from their U18/U20 days.

Russell is ahead of Sam at their same age. However, will he develop further? I don't know, Sam actually grew a few inches (bollo to those centimetre thingys) and has become the world class player that he is today.

Will Russell follow suit or became a Shaun Ainscough? Let's wait and see.

Tomkins is pure quality, but I do believe Russell has the X Factor to be a top player too. He is so confident with his ability at such a young age, I can only see bright things for his future.

russel will be a fullback! I always laugh on here how everyone is a positioning expert! The 1st bomb was an awful one to take and could see his thinking it would bounce dead. 2nd was similar but a straight fumble could of cost a try and was damage limitation,cos was almost untakable due to the bodies around,both saints and hull! The fault lies purley with lack of kick pressure. Had the time to spiral end over end em put em were they want! It was bugging me long before them errors!

Wtf?

I'm afraid I've had to kidnap him. He's ensconced in my spare room with steak and salad. Sorry, Wigan.

I see his future in the number 6 shirt. Granted I've only seen him twice mind.

The kid tries hard but if we want to achieve success we need a proper first class established and experienced fullback.

Only part of his game he is failing at at the moment. 3 tes he let it bounce towards the end of the game when he should have taken them. Saints targeted him due to this, which is what cost us a point in the end.

SPot on, made a couple of errors in letting the ball bounce but 110% effort, all you can ask

second bomb he bottled. You cannot let the ball bounce. And FWIW I like Russel a lot and would sign him as our fullback instantly. But no defending errors like he made. He will learn though.

Regardless of execution one thing he is is professional. Together with Houghton and Whiting he was alert and ready every second of the game. Too many of our seasoned pros switch off for a couple of seconds every now and then or are talking/thinking about the next play before the current one is complete. A guy came with us today for his first live superleague game and he asked who Russell was and said he seemed to be sharper than all the rest of the FC players and looked like he really wanted to make something happen. He was the standout player to him.

Played well yesterday. All fullbacks let the ball bounce sometimes. I'd love to keep him although I know that's not going to happen

Thought he had his worst game yesterday. Took a lot of wrong options in attack and let too many kicks bounce.

He was OK yesterday, but how many times did he overrun the ball in attack, it was almost everytime we were trying a move involving him sweeping round the ball would go to ground.

Not really fussed on him tbh.....postioning awful,stands too far up the pitch for bombs and cant catch....Mckinnon got slagged off but he could catch and his postional play was spot on.

I agree Paul, to be fair I thought the whole team at times looked disjointed and lacking a spark in attack.

I was suprised how strong the kid is during the derby, busted tackles a couple of times. He's certainly one for the future, its just a shame it will be at Wigan, It's inevitable hell score a shed load against you in the future, like Charnley does to us Dobins

Compare Russell to Lyne who was meant to be the next big thing for us and had Wigan and Leeds banging at his door trying to sign him. Russell is head and shoulders above Lyne. He's confident, enthusiastic, can pass and actually knows what he's doing on the field. All things that Lyne can't do, I don't see the point in keeping Lyne he's not going to make it here I mean I don't even think he knows how to pass properly. He's an open field runner with ball in hand and that's it. Was also meant to have blistering pace, yet when we played Huddersfield at home he couldn't even catch Wardle who sometimes plays in the back row!
Harsh but true.

The kid is quality i was at the game yesterday and to me the crowd lift when he gets hands on the ball!! you would do well to keep him if im honest! im a saints fan although he is a wigan lad id snap him up now!

Can't catch under pressure though which is a worry. But hopefully he'll get better at that as he get's more experienced.

It's nailed on that he'll score against us at the DW in August.

I'd agree, although he was not at his best yesterday, he certainly still looked dangerous with the ball in hand.

He has exceptional balance and is the type of player who gets me on the edge of my seat when he has the ball. He is young and has someway to go before he becomes the finished article, but there is no doubt the lad has talent, and he's shown enough in his 4 games for us to suggest that he will become a solid super league full back.

I'd certainly be sounding him out about if he would be willing to sign for us and possibly offer Wigan some brass for him, can't see them taking the bait, but it shouldn't stop us trying.

Could not agree more but as you say he is young so will definately get better under the high ball.I would not like it if wellens was up against me with a huge bomb coming down!! I also believe that sam tomkins isnt brilliant under the high ball! the modern full back now needs to be able to return the ball with speed and strength and this lad has it in abundance! Big future in the game for me

I don't think comparing Lyne to Russell is fair tbh. Although they are the same age, the comparison ends there. Russell is an exciting prospect in rugby who will go on to have a great SL career, possibly leading to international rugby, albeit maybe in a different position to the one he is currently playing in. Reece Lyne looked a great prospect up to about 16/17. He is now at best a below average championship winger who I don't expect to ever make a career out of Rugby League.